Train direction responsive apparatus



Dec. 17, 194-0.

E. M. ALLEN 2,225,092

TRAIN DIRECTION RESPONSIVE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1 959 7 INVE To R. fla (Zen. BY

17L? ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 17, 1940 TRAIN DIRECTION RESPONSIVE APPABA Earl M. Allen, Swissvale, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 14,1939, seem No. 250,962

Claims.

My invention relates to train direction responsive apparatus for a stretch of single track railway, divided into two sections, over which trafiic movements may normally be made in either di- 5 rection.

One feature of my invention is the provision of railway trafiic direction responsive means which responds in a characteristic manner to a train first entering thefirst of said sections, and which responds in a given different characteristic manner to a second train first entering the second of said sections while moving over said stretch in the opposite direction, regardless of whether or not the first train has entered the first section and then backs out after the second train enters the stretch.

I shall describe two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing one form of apparatus embodying my invention, in which there is provided, for a stretch ofv single track railway adjacent a switching yard, 2. given signal light which is retained in the unlighted condition when a first train moves over the single track in a given direction and'which displays a flashing indication when a second train moves over the same stretch of track in the opposite direction, regardless of whether or not the first train has first entered the stretch and thenbacks out after the second train enters the stretch; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View showing another form of apparatus embodying my invention, in which a stretch of single track railway intersected by a highway is provided with acrossing signal operated by a second train entering the stretch, regardless of whether or not a first train has entered the stretch from the opposite direction before the arrival of the second train and has then backed out of the stretch after arrival of the second train.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, a stretch of single track railway over which traffic movements can normally be made in either direction is shown adjacent a yard or switching track orvgroup of such tracks designated by the reference character Y. The rails I and la of the stretch of single track are divided by means of insulated joints 3 to form two sections designated by the reference characters IT and 2T, respectively. Each of these track sections is provided-with a track circuit including a track battery I connected across the rails adjacent one end of the track section and a track relay, designated by the reference character R with a prefix corresponding to the reference character for the associated seetion, adjacent the other end of the section. A

third track relay, which may be called an auxiliary relay, designated by the reference character AZTR, is also provided for the section 2T. The terminals of relay AZTR are connected with rail Ia of section ET on opposite sides of an insulated joint 5 at a location very close to joints 3 at signal 2 within the section. Relay AZTR is therefore in series with relay ZTR.

For governing traflic movements from left to right as shown in the drawing, which I shall assume to be the eastbound direction, a signal IA is shown adjacent the west end of section IT. A second signal, designated by the reference character 2, for governing Westbound trafiic movements is located adjacent the east end of v section IT. Each of these signals has a green lamp G, for directing traffic movements into section IT, and a red or stop lamp R. A signal device designated, by the reference character IB .is shown as a red lamp R, and is located adjacent signal IA.

A slow release repeater relay, designated by the reference character I-ZTPR, is controlled by frcnt contacts of relays I'I'R and ZTR. A signal control relay designated by the reference character IAHR, for controlling the lamps of signal IA,is controlled by a front contact of relay I-ZTPR. Y

A slow release stick relay ISR becomes energized when an eastbound train enters section IT,

and is retained in the energized condition while the train occupies section IT and section 2T is unoccupied. A second stick relay 'ZSR becomes energized'when the eastbound train enters section 2T and ISR is energized. Both stick relays ISR and ZSR are then retained in the energized condition while the eastbound train proceeds through section 2T.

A trafiic direction responsive means, shown as a slow release relay IBI-IR, is constantly energized when either a front contact of relay I--2TPR is closed while sections IT and 2T are unoccupied, or a front contact of relay ISR is closed by an eastbound train. A slow release trailic responsive relay, designated by the reference character IBHPR, becomes energized when relay IBHR becomes deenergized. Then when relay IBHPR is energized, relay'IBHR becomes energized by a circuit including a front contact of relay IBHPR, and relay IBHR, thus again becoming energized, in turn again deenergizes relay IBHPR. This alternating operation of relays IBHR and IBHPR occurs when the circuit for normally energizing relay. IBHR is open at contacts II and I2 of relays I2TPR and ISR,

respectively.

Lamp R of signal device IB is lighted by a circuit which includes a back contact of relay IBHR. Hence lamp R of signal device IB is unlighted when relay I BHR is constantly'energized,

and shows a flashing light when relays IBHR and IBHPR are alternately energized and deenergized.

Referring now to Fig. 2, a stretch of single track railway is shown intersected by a highway H. Rails I and la of the railway are divided by insulated joints 3 to form sections 3T and AT; Sections ST and AT are provided with track circuits which are similar to the track circuit described for section 2T of Fig. 1, with auxiliary relays ASTR and A JTR connected with rail I of the corresponding sections around insulated joints 5 similarly to relay AZTR connected with section 2T but in this case connected to the rail in the vicinity of the relay instead of the. track battery.

A slow release interlocking relay designated by the reference character XR, having a first magnet a and a second magnet 1), controls traflic direction responsive means shown as a signal device such as a highway crossing signal S. Magnets a and b are provided with pick-up circuits controlled by front contacts of relays 3TR and 4TR, respectively. Each of these magnets is provided with a stick circuit controlled by a back contact of the track relay and a front contact of the auxiliary relay for the section which controls the pick-up circuit for the other magnet.

In each of the views, the contacts operated by the various relays are identified by numbers, each such number having a distinguishing prefix from which it is separated by a dash when the contacts are shown apart from the relay by which they are operated. The prefix for each of these contact numbers comprises the reference character for the relay by which it is operated. For example, contact IBHR23, which controls lamp R of signal device IB shown in Fig. 1, is identified by the number 23 separated by a dash from the prefix I BI-IR which is the reference character for relay IBHR by which this contact is operated.

Having described, in general, the arrangement and control of the various parts of the two forms of apparatus embodying my invention shown in the accompanying drawing, I shall now describe in detail the operation of the apparatus.

As shown in the drawing, all parts of the apparatus are in the normal condition, that is, the

various track sections are unoccupied, and hence the track relays and auxiliary relays are energized; relays I2TPR, IAHR and IBHR shown in Fig. 1, and magnets a and b of interlocking relay XR shown in Fig. 2 are energized; relays ISR, 25R and IBHPR shown in Fig. 1 are deenergized; lamp G of signal IA and lamp R of signal 2 shown in Fig. 1 are lighted; and bell S shown in Fig. 2 is deenergized.

I shall first trace the operation of the form of apparatus shown in Fig. 1. With relays ITR and ZTR energized, relay I--2TPR is energized by a circuit passing from terminal 13 of a suitable source of current not shown in the drawing, through contacts 6 and 'I of relays 2TR and ITR, respectively, and the winding of relay I-ZTPR to terminal C of the same source of current. With relay I2TPR energized, relay IAHR is energized by its circuit including the front point of contact 8 of relay I-2TPR. With relay IAHR energized, the circuit for lamp G of signal IA is closed, passing from terminal 3, through the front point of contact 9 of relay IAI-IR, and lamp G of signal IA to terminal 0. Also with relay I2TPR energized, lamp R of signal 2 is lighted by a circuit passing from terminal B, through the front point of contact I2TPR--I0, and lamp R of signal 2 to terminal C, Also, with relay I-2TPR energized, relay IBI-IR is energized by a circuit passing from terminal B, through contact II of relay I-2TPR, back point of contact I3 of relay IBI-IPR, and the Winding of relay IBHR to terminal C.

I shall assume that an eastbound train passes signal IA and enters section IT. Relay ITR, upon becoming deenergized by the train in section IT, permits its contact I to open at the front point and thereby deenergize relay I2TPR.

Relay I-2TPR being of the slow releasing type, its contact I5 will remain closed at the front point long enough to permit a pick-up circuit for-relay ISR to energize this relay, this circuit passing from terminal B, through contact 6 of relay 2TR, back point of contact I of relay ITR, front point of contact I5 of relay I2TPR, and winding of relay ISR to terminal C. Relay ISR, upon becoming energized, closes its contact 22, thereby completing astick circuit which is the same as the pick-up circuit just traced except that it includes contact 22 of relay ISR instead of the front point of contact I5 of relay I-2TPR.

When contact 8 of relay I-2TPR opens, relay IAHR becomes deenergized, thereby opening the circuit previously described for lamp G of signal IA and closing the circuit for lamp R of signal IA passing from terminal B, through the back point of contact 9 of relay IAHR, and lamp R of signal IA to terminal C.

With relays ITR and I2'I'PR deenergized, a second circuit is now complete for lighting lamp R of signal 2, this circuit passing from terminal B, through the back point of contact I-2TPR- I0, back point of contact ITRI6, and lamp R of signal 2 to terminal 0.

With relay ISR energized,- a second circuit is completed for energizing relay IBI-IR, which is the'same as the circuit previously traced except including contact I2 of relay ISR instead of contact II of relay I-2TPR.

When the eastbound train enters section 2T, both relays A2TR and ZTR become deenergized. Withcontact I9 of relay ISR closed, and with relay A2TR deenergized, a pick-up circuit is completed for energizing relay 28R, passing from terminal B, through contacts I8 and I9 of relays A2TR and ISR, respectively, and the winding of relay 2SR to terminal C. On account of relay 2TR .now being deenergized, the stick circuit previously traced for relay ISR is open at contact 6 of relay ZTR, but relay ISR, being of the slow release type, does not at once permit its front contacts 22 and I9 to open. Relay 2SR, upon becoming energized, closes its contact 20, thereby completing its stick circuit passing from terminal B, through contact 20 of relay 28R, contact I9 of relay ISR, and the winding of relay 28R to terminal C. With relay ZSR energized and relay I-2TPR deenergized, a second stick circuit is now completed for relay I SR, passing from terminal B, through contact 2| of relay 2SR, back point of contact I5 of relay I2TPR, and contact 22 of relay ISR to terminal C. Relays ISR and 2SR will now remain energized, by these stick circuits which are controlled by each other, as long as relay I2TPR remains deenergized.

When the-eastbound 'trainleav'es section IT, permitting relay ITR 'tobecome energized, lamp R of signal 2 will be energized. by a third'clrcuit passing from terminalB, through the back point section IT into yard Y to get into the clear and of contact l2TPRr-l0, the front point of contact [TH-l6, the front point of contact ISR-l'l, and lamp R of signal 2 to terminal C.

When the eastbound train leaves section 2T, relay 2TB will again become energized, completing the return of the'apparatus to the normal condition.

I shall next assume that, with all parts of the apparatus again in the normal condition, a westbound train enters section 2T, deenergizing relay 2TR, which in turn, by the opening of. contact B, deenergizes relay l--2TPR. Relay 'ISR can not now be energized by its pick-up circuit, previously traced, since contact 6 of relay 2TB is open.

With relay I-ZTPR deenergized, relay IAHR will become deenergized and lamp R of signal IA will become lighted as before. Also, with relay I-2TPR deenergized, a circuit will be completed for lighting lamp G of signal 2, thiscircuit passing from terminal B, through the back point of contact I2TPRIU, front point of contact lTR-I6, back point of contact -lSR--ll, and lamp G of signal 2 to terminal 0. I

With relays |-2TPR and ISR deenergized, relay IBHR will become deenergized, thereby completing a circuit for energizing relay IBI-IPR, this circuit passing from terminal B, through contact I4 of relay IBHR, and the winding of relay IBHPR to terminal 0. Also, with relay IBHR deenergized, a circuit will be completed for lighting lamp R of signal device IB, this circuit passing from terminal B, through contact IBI-IR-23, and lamp R of signal device IB to terminal C. When relay IBHPR becomes energized, a circuit is completed for energizing relay IBHR, passing from terminal B, through the front point of contact l3 of relay IBHPR, and the winding of relay IBHR to terminal C. With relay IBHR again energized, relay IBHPR again becomes deenergized. It follows thatrelays IBHR and 'I-BHPR will be alternately energized and deenergized as long as the circuits first traced for relay IBHR. through contacts H and 12 of relays l--2TPR and ISR, respectively, remain open.

With relay lBI-IR alternately energized and deenergized, lamp R of signal device IE will be controlled by contact |BHR,-23 to display a flashingred indication. Trainmen in the vicinity of track Y will, therefore, now know that a westbound train is approaching, and hence no trains will leave track Y until the westbound train has passed.

I shall now assume that a train is making switching movements at trackor yard Y, and that it enters section IT, causing the apparatus to be arranged as previously described for an eastbound train entering section IT. I shall further assume that while section IT is occupied, a westbound train enters section 2T, thereby deenergizing relay ZTR and ISR. Relay AZTR will remain energized until the westbound train passes .insulat'ed joint 5 associated with relay AZTR, and hence relay ZSR does not become energized when the westbound train enters section 2T. With relay ZTR deenergized, the first stick circuit traced forrelay ISR is now open, and hence relay I SR becomes'deenergized.

With both relays ISR and I2TPR deenergized, lamp R of signal device IB will be controlled to display a flashing indication as previously described. The trainman in charge of the switching movements at yard Y will now know that a westbound train is approaching, and will therefore move the train which occupies viously traced, and the westbound train will then proceed through section lT..

I shall now trace the operation of the form of apparatus shown in Fig. 2. The circuit by which magnet a is energized passes from terminal .3, through the front point of contact 24 of relay 3TB, and the winding of magnet a to terminal C. Magnet b is energized by a similar circuit including the front point of contact 24 of relay ATR.

I shall assume that an eastbound section 3T, deenergizing relay 3TB and thereby opening the pick-up circuit traced for magneta. With magnet 11 deenergized, front contact 21 controlled by this magnet will. become opened, and contact 29 also controlled by this magnet will become closed. With contact 26 closed, a circuit will be completed for energizing crossing signal S, passing from terminal B, through contact 29 controlled by magnet 11, and through the mechanism of signal S to terminal C. Signal S will therefore be operated while the eastbound train is approaching highway crossing H.

When the eastbound train passes the insulated joints at highway H, relay 4TB becomes deenergized, causing magnet b to become deenergized. However, due to a well-known characteristic of interlocking relays, front contact 26, known as the flagman type of contact, will not TODEII on account of magnet a having been deenergized before magnet b. Also, contact 28 of magnet b will not close.

When the train leaves section 3T, magnet a will again become energized by its circuit previously traced, causing its contact 29 to open and thereby discontinue the operation of signal S. Signal S will then remain deenergized as the eastbound train proceeds through section 4T.

1 shall next again assume that an eastbound train enters section 3T, causing signal S to be operated as previously described. I shall further assume that while the eastbound train occupies section 3T, a westbound train enters section 4T. With the westbound train on section 4T, magnet b will become deenergized on account of the opening of contact 24 of relay 4TB at its front point. However, for the reason previously given, contact 26 of magnet b will not open, and contact 28 of this magnet will not close. I shall still further assume that the eastbound train now backs out of section 3T.

When the eastbound train, in backing out, vacates the portion of section 3T which is east of insulated joint 5, relay A3TR will become energized, thereby completing a stick circuit for mag net I), passing from terminal B, through the back point of contact 24 of relay 3TB, contact 25 of relay A3TR, flagman contact 26 controlled by magnet b, and the winding of magnet b to terminal C. With magnet b thus energized, the

mechanism operated by magnet 19 will be removed from interlocking engagement with the mechanism operated by magnet a.

When the eastbound train leaves section 31, in backing out, magnet a will again become energized by its pick-up circuit, and the stick circuit train enters controlling a signal device which remains deenergized when a train is making switching movements such, for example, as in a railway yard or at a switch in an A. P. B. signaling system, but becomes energized when a train approaches from the opposite direction. In a second form .of apparatus .embodying my invention, I have provi-deda control arrangement for a highway crossing signal so controlled that, if a train approaching a highway crossing stops and backs away from the crossing while a second train is approaching the crossing from the opposite direction, the crossing signal will continue to be operated by the second train after the first train has vacated its controlling track section.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a. stretch of railway track divided into a first and a second section, a signal device, means responsive to a train moving over said first and second sections in a direction in which it enters said first section before entering said second section for retaining said signal device in the deenergized condition, and means responsive to a second train moving over said track in the opposite direction for energizing said signal device regardless of whether or not said first section is already occupied at the time said second train enters said second section.

2. In combination, a stretch of railway track divided into a first and a second section, a track circuit for said second section including a track relay connected across the rails of said second section as well as a second relay connected around an insulated point in one side of said track section in series with said track relay, a signal device, means including said first and second relays controlled by a train moving over said first and second sections in a direction in which it enters said first section before entering said second section for retaining said signal in the deenergized condition while said train occupies said second section after leaving said first section, and means including said first and second relays controlled by a train moving in the opposite direction over said stretch for energizing said signal device while said train occupies said second section.

3. In combination, a stretch of railway track divided into a first and a second section, train detecting means operable in response to a train on said stretch, a first relay, a second relay, means controlled by a train entering said stretch in a given direction for energizing said first relay when said train enters said first section and for energizing said second relay when said train enters said second section, means controlled by said second relay for then retaining said first relay in the energized condition while said second section is occupied,.means controlled by said first relay for then retaining said second relay energized as long as said first relay remains energized, a signal device, and means controlled by said first relay and by said train detecting means for retaining said signal device in the deenergized condition while a train moves over said stretch in said given direction and for energizing said signal device while a train moves over said stretch in the opposite direction.

4. In combination,a stretch of railway track divided into a first and a second section, a track circuit for said first sectionincluding a first trackrelay, a track circuit for said second section including a second track relay connected across the rails adjacent one end of said section and also including a third track relay connected with an intermediate portion of said section in series with said second track relay, a slow release repeater relay, a circuit for energizing said repeater relay controlled by front contacts of said first and second track relays, a first slow release stick relay, a pick-up circuit for said first slow release stick relay controlled by a back contact of said first track relay and by front contacts of said second track relay and said repeater relay, a first stick circuit for said first slow release stick relay controlled by a back contact of said first track relay and a front contact of said second track relay, a second stick relay, a pick-up circuit for said second stick relay controlled by a front contact of said first slow release stick relay and a back contact of said third track relay, a stick circuit for said second stick relay controlled by a front contact of said first slow release stick relay, a second stick circuit for said first slow release stick relay controlled by a front contact of said second stick relay and a back contact of said repeater relay, a signal device, and means controlled by front contacts of said first stick relay and said repeater relay for controlling said signal device.

5. In combination, a stretch of railway track divided into a first and a second section, a track circuit for said first section including a first track relay, a track circuit for said second section including a second track relay connected across the. rails adjacent one end of said section and also including a .third track relay connected with an intermediate portion of said section in series with said second track relay, 2. stick relay, means controlled by said first and second track relays for energizing said stick relay when said first track relay becomes deenergized while said second track relay is energized, means for then retaining said stick relay in the energized condition while said first track relay is deenergized and said second track relay is energized, other means controlled by said second and third track relays in the deenergized condition for continuing to retain said stick relay in the energized condition, a signal device, and means controlled by said first and second track relays or by said stick relay in the energized condition for controlling said signal device.

EARL M. ALLEN. 

